The secret to getting rid of moss is making your grass healthier and stronger (Image: Getty)
March is now here and many people will be eager to begin fixing their lawn which has likely become overgrown and covered in moss during winter.
However, , the celebrity best known for Gardeners’ World, has shared how it is better to focus on making the healthy rather than attempting to remove .
On his , Monty said: “The best grass likes very well-drained soil. Moss, for example, is always a symptom of poor drainage, made worse by shade.
“Unfortunately even the best-prepared soil becomes compacted by matted roots, rain and, especially, normal family use.
“The answer is to work on it at least once a year by sticking a fork in the ground and wiggling it about and repeating the process every six inches or so.”
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Lawn aeration is the simple task of sticking a pitchfork in the ground to make the soil less compact (Image: Getty)
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Moss can only appear on lawns that are waterlogged as it thrives in moisture, so if you have moss it means that the grass is not able to drain properly due to compact soil.
Having compact soil can rot the grass and also spread disease but it also prevents nutrition and sunlight from getting to the grass roots so it is more likely to be patchy in springtime.
Sticking a pitchfork into the ground helps aerate the lawn, which creates holes in the soil to allow more air and water to get into the grass.
Once you have properly aerated the grass you can help it grow by making a simple homemade mulch which will break down naturally and add nutrients to the lawn.
Monty said: “Mix up equal portions of sieved topsoil, sharp sand and sieved leaf mould or compost. If you do not have these things to hand then just sharp or silver sand will do the job.
“Spread it across the area you have pricked and brush it in with a stiff broom, filling the holes with the mixture. This will help drainage and feed the grass.”
Mulching a lawn is a natural way to give the grass the nutrients it needs (Image: Getty)
Mulching not only feeds the soil but also naturally blocks weeds and moss growing on your lawn as it makes the grass healthier so it can outgrow any other competitors.
Finally, make sure to also use a wire rake on your lawn as it will help get rid of moss and any other organic matter building up on your lawn that is blocking nutrients from reaching the soil.
Monty said: “It is also worth giving the lawn a good scratch with a wire rake. This will get at all the overwintering thatch and moss, and let light and water get to the soil and to the roots of the grass.
“Put the debris on the compost and then mow. It will look a little bald for a week or so but will grow back thicker than ever.”
Taking the time to do these three simple tasks in March will not only remove moss from your lawn but help the grass grow stronger so you will have a green thick lawn to enjoy this springtime.